The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch has once again honoured several outstanding BC lawyers and an innovative organization, all of whom have contributed to the profession and community.
CBABC President Jennifer Brun awarded the President’s Medal to Richard Fyfe, QC and presented three special recognition awards to Marilyn Sandford, QC, Susanna Allevato Quail and the Society for Children and Youth of BC on Saturday, June 5 at the virtual CBABC Provincial Council meeting.
President’s Medal
This medal is personally awarded by the CBABC president to recognize the recipient’s significant contribution to the legal profession. The 2021 recipient is Richard Fyfe, QC, Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister, Justice. In his role, he has initiated and nurtured strong, respectful relationships with the judiciary and lawyers, and has substantially improved access to justice, alternative dispute resolution, and the modernization of the justice and legal systems.
Harry Rankin QC Pro Bono Award
In memory of Harry Rankin, QC’s immense support of access to justice for the poor, this award acknowledges commitment to pro bono service. Marilyn Sandford, QC has been at the forefront of improving legal aid in BC, as counsel and also as founder and champion of the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers. She has also contributed to the UBC Innocence Project as a supervising lawyer, interim Co-Director, and annual guest speaker.
Equality & Diversity Award
This award celebrates a CBABC member who has succeeded in advancing equality in the legal profession or generally in British Columbia. 2021 recipient Susanna Allevato Quail has advocated tirelessly for the rights of migrant workers and her work in this area has led to three precedent-setting employment law decisions. She argued successfully in the ground-breaking Human Rights Tribunal case of Oger v. Whatcott, achieving a significant victory in the fight for transgender equality in BC.
Innovative Workplace Award
This award recognizes innovation in rethinking the model of legal services, challenging societal, institutional or historical barriers, and serving the bar. The Society for Children & Youth of BC has created an innovative child-centred program that delivers much-improved access to legal services for children and youth. The Society’s Child & Youth Legal Centre is modelled with a mission to support the well-being of the child.
CBABC extends congratulations and gratitude to all recipients of the 2021 Bar Awards. Their hard work and dedication sets a worthy example for everyone in BC’s legal community.